New guy has habitat question

[Huntingfanatic]

After 33 years as a coach I am hanging up my whistle. With my coaching career coming to a close I plan on spending a lot of time hunting out west. I am starting to plan a mule deer hunt and would like to hunt from the end of August until about Sept 15 before the elk rut. Im currently looking in Colorado but will be applying in other states as well. I am aware of high country above timberline and willow basins and if I can draw a unit that has those that would be great. My question is if above timberline is not an option what would be your second choice of habitat to hunt mule deer in that early September time frame. I want to make it clear I am not asking about anyone's spots. At least half the fun is doing the research. This is simply a habitat question. Thanks in advance and I look forward to learning a lot on this forum.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

I would assume you will be bow hunting?

Welcome to the Forum

 

[Huntingfanatic]

I would assume you will be bow hunting?

Welcome to the Forum

Yes sir. It would be bowhunting.

Thank you.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

Your second choice would be areas with water. In Nv there will be bucks from the Mid parts of the Mt to the top above timberline. It will still be warm so they will still be in summer mode and hitting water often. Most of our mt's hold aspens, quaky trees in most drainages that will give shade and cover for the deer. Also there is usually water close by. Good luck.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Depends on where you hunt and how big a buck you are looking for. Above timberline is always a great choice, but lots of other hunters know it too. Sometimes these units are a tough draw. A fall back might be around farmers fields. Mule deer, just like their whitetail cousins feed at night courtesy of the farmer. Late afternoon/early evening and early am offer opportunities as they leave and go back to their bedding areas. just sayin...........

 

[BigBy1]

I echo Colorado Cowboy, try hitting those real steep draws, full of quakies and brush, coming up from the valley floor. Those big fellas will sometimes hold where they have great cover and are not that far from water. Course they're like pheasants, you have to almost step on them to get them to move. Just find a good place and glass until you find them. You'll figure out what to do from there.
An' keep that whistle handy so you can scare all the ferocious beasts away LOL!!!